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5. Alkanols react with alkanoic acids to form alkanoates (esters) and water. The reaction of
alkanoic acids with alkanols to form esters is called esterification.
USES OF ETHANOL
1. Used as a solvent.
2. Used in the manufactures of varnishes, ink, glues, and paints.
3. Used as a fuel in cars. It can be blended with gasoline (petrol) or instead of petrol.
4. Used in alcoholic drinks e.g. wines, wines and spirits.
5. Used in the manufactures of deodorants, perfumes because it evaporates easily.
6. Used as an antiseptic in specified concentrations.
7. Moderate consumption of alcohol has numerous health benefits such as greater protection
heart diseases, decrease common infections and improvement in factors that influence blood
clotting.
DANGERS OF EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
1. Addiction (alcoholism) which can destroy physical and emotional heath.
2. Causes of some cancers such as liver cancer, mouth cancer, pharynx cancer, esophagus
cancer and pancreatic cancer.
3. Causes cardiac problems such as high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke.
4. Causes miscarriages in pregnant women.
5. Can influence a person to commit suicide or suffer serious injury.
6. Influences a person to indulge in risky sexual behaviours leading to unwanted pregnancies,
HIV and AIDS, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
7. Loss of employment leading to poverty.
8. Causes liver cirrhosis.